A History of the Mahrattas v2.c38.7

v2.c38.7

Mujd-ud-dowlah was unsuccessful in military expeditions. Foiled by Zabita Khan and harassed by plundering irruptions of the Seiks, who laid waste the country, but still more alarmed at the rapid power which his rival's successes had gained him in the provinces, he sought to crush him by involving the Emperor in a war with the Rajpoots, which he hoped might prove fatal to his progress; but the result was contrary to his anticipations; for, although the war was brought on, and Nujeef Khan actively employed, it terminated advantageously for the Emperor and creditably for his general.¹ In this situation Mujd-ud-dowlah began a negotiation with Mahadajee Sindia, from which he hoped to free himself from all difficulties, and attain the entire control in the state, by the ruin of Nujeef Khan; after which, in hopes of freeing himself from the Mahrattas, he intended to accede to a scheme, proposed by Sindia, for invading the English provinces in Bengal; and promised, as soon as they could be spared, to lend both the authority and the army of the Emperor in aid of Sindia's design.² But these schemes were at once overturned by his removal from the administration, which Nujeef Khan, with the Emperor's concurrence, at last effected. No obstacle now interfered with that paramount authority which Nujeef Khan established. He became Umeer Ool Oomrah, with the title of Zoolfikar Khan, and continued, till his death, which happened 22d April, 1782, to rule both the Emperor and his territory with judgement and firmness.³ His adopted son, Afrasiab Khan, was at first acknowledged his successor, but he was for a time obliged to relinquish his new dignity in favour of his relation, Mirza Shuffee, who was himself opposed by a powerful faction, headed by Mohummud Beg Humadanee, the governor of the province of Agra.